Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1887-10-05
THROUGH THE DARK,
Or, The Love That Lived.


as Jewell Hastings. Yet, though every
young man in the village would have
braved any danger to win her smile,
she kept all her would be suitors at a
distance. all except Harry Lawton, the
young doctor.
He understood, however, that
Jewell had only steriy love for him
and as the girl had no male protector,
but lived humbly with al old aunt, he
was glad to be of service to her.
The family were supposed 10 be poor.
yet Jewell dressed better than any
other girl in town, and naturally the
town folks wondered from what source
she derived her income.
About the time when Jewell was
twenty-five Mrs. Fielding and her
son came TO Claremont and settled In
the 0d manor house. They were
friends OF Dr. Lawton, and it was his
dearest wish that Ernst Fielding would
take fancy to Jewell and marry her,
because he thought them 80 well
suited to each other. One day after
church Harry pointed the young lady
out to his friend.
Jewell had not failed to notice the
handsome stranger; and DIR. Lawton
had a cordial consent TO his bringing
his friend the next evening.
As Harry Lawton had expected.
very soon Ernest Fielding was loving
Jewell with the full strength OF his
ardent, loving nature. or course,
Harry was his coafidant. and to him he
said:
1T seems as though my life had been
almost a blauk-that L never truly
lived before 1 knew her. IL L do not
win her, the light OF my life is lost.
The world Will be perfect darkness.
Little thought his friend how
prophetic were his words.
Nonsense. Fieldingl You will win
our Jewell, feei sure. If she intended
sending you from her she never would
have permitted your getting near
enough TO think of winning her. Hope
everything"
The next evening Fielding had been
reading to her. Closing the book, he
said, his voice trembling with emo
ton:
.'Oh, how can L read to you Of
others loves when my heart is almost
ingS-Jewell, may | tell youg'
The beautiful eyes. which a moment
before were raised to his, dropped, a
''Oh, do you know how truly L love
your" he said, clasping the hand he
had gained, and pressing it to his
lips.
"I thought and hoped So" Jewell
answered, raising her eyes, ilied with
truth and love, TO his.
"Oh, do you mean this? Can II be
that you will try TO return some of the
great love l give you, my precious
Jewell? Dear iove, never before to-
night have breathei or known another
love! Speak, Jewelli"
II love your she Whispered sOH.
And Ernst was satisfied and pro-
founlly happy.
''Good-nis sht, sweet Lowell To-mor-
row l may cUme, or / shall think this
Joy only bright, deceIvlng dream if l
do not see you and hear one little low
Ing word in the daylight"
All, DIR am 1t WAS, as brief as
bright. The next day, while waiting
Ernest's coming, she received the fol-
lowing note:
My OWN JEwELL-An unexpected
and pressing commission to p will
prevent my being with you until this
evening. l shall return by O'Clock
and hasten to ysu. Heaven bless and
keep you, darling. Dev0teily,
ERNEST
y few hours after the reception of
this Jewell still WAS seated in her little
parlor, when the servant opening the
door said
Mrs. Fielding, Miss Jewell.'
With a warm, bright smile Jewell
extended her hand and drew toward
her guest the most comfortable chair.
An expression of suppressed admIrG-
tion nearly escaped Mrs. FIelding's
lips. AID sic thought:
mo wonderI She is beautiful
enough to turn any mans brain"
She said:
Miss Hastings, THE face was
rigid and cold-"my visit is not a
pleasant one. Last night Ernest told
me OF this foolish affair" Size he j.
tated. "Well. may as well explain
my business at once But you must
not tell Ernest I've been here This
morning / sent HIM of, to have the
opportunity of seeing you. want
him 10 marry distant cousin. They
Were pledged TO each other when
babies.n -
Rest assured, madame. shall not
enter any family unless they are happy
=
shall never hear from my lips that his
mother Is not all he would wish her.
Now, madame, if you will excuse me,
L will bid you good afternoon"
That same afternoon Jewell lett
Claremont. Her aunt followed a few
days later, leaving the cottage and it,
effects for DR.. Lawton 10 either sell or
rent.
When Ernest Fielding called that
evening, to his infinite surprise ana
distress he received the following:
DEAR ERNEST-La5t evening when
told you / loved you / meant it. You
will doubt me now. Do not. l shall
always love you and pray TO God daily
10 remove the obstacle to our unI0n.
An unforeseen circumstance separate
US. Trust me, as do Heaven, and
pray that We may meet again, when no
earthly power can separate US. Do not
seek to lind me. 1t would be useless.
until the obstacle Is removed. Then L
will come to you. Only and truly
yours. JEWELL.
Five years had passed slice Ernest
received this note. AS he said truly,
the light of his life went out. Not
quickly, gradually the terrible truth
came.
He was almost blind. To add to his
misery the lawyer in charge of the
family affairs defaulted, leaving the
family almost penniless. Mrs, Field
ing was reaping her reward. When
Jewell heard the news she hastened to
Df. Lawton's office
After the usual greetings she said:
Doctor, l want you to go with me
to Mrs. Fielding. l will tell you now.
She sent me from Ernest five years
ago. Perhaps She Will let you me
come to him now. For his sake 1 will
try"
After DR.. Lawton had introduced
Miss Hastings to Mrs. Fielding, he
would have withdrawn, but Jewell put
out her hand and said:
'StaS? And turning again to Mrs.
Fielding she asked: lis the young lady
you wished as a daughter willing to
marry Ernest now?''